Carrying case



yJuly 2,1968 i R. scHNEEwl-:lss 3,390,810

' l v CARRYING CASE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1966 .A TTORNBY July 2, 1968 R. scHNEEwElss CARRYING CASE F1166 Dec. 16, 1666 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. SCHNZ'EUE/SS RALPH ATTORNEY July 2, 1968 R. scHNEEwElss 3,390,810

CARRYING CASE yFiled Dec. 16. 1966 A 4 sheets-sheet :s

INVENTOR. FHLPH .5TH/V55 MfS/.5.5

July 2, 1968 R. scl-msswslss 3,390,810

CARRYING CASE Filed Dec. 16, 196e 4 sheets-sheet 4 24, 2"/ 24a 24d 21u. 2%

IN VEN TOR. PHL PH 'CHIVEEk/E/SS BYJA-d United States Patent O 3,390,810 CARRYING CASE Ralph Schneeweiss, Hollywood, Fla. Florida Pipe & Nipple Mfg. Co., Inc., 575 W. 18th St., Hialeah, Fla., 33011) Filed Dec. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 602,281 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-115) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a carrying case which performs the dual function of a carrying and packing case.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a case which may be used to package merchandise of many descriptions, including plumbers pipe nipples and fittings, mechanics socket wrench sets, artists supplies, jewelry and various other articles and which may also be used as a carrying case for these various and sundry items. More particularly, in the hands of the manufacturer and seller of these various items the case in which they are packed functions solely for packaging purposes; in the hands of the ultimate consumer the case serves the further function of a carrying case by which its contents may be carried from place to place.

It is accordingly an important feature of this invention to provide the combination packing and carrying case with integrally connected and mounted handles. These handles may be folded out of the way and within the case when it is to be used solely for packaging purposes; they may be extended to project outwardly from the case when it is to be used for carrying purposes.

Another important feature of this invention is the provision of a combination packing and carrying case of the character described, which contains and embodies a plurality of removable portable storing and carrying trays. These trays are designed to accommodate various products such as those above enumerated and they are provided with foldable handles corresponding, essentially, to the foldable handles of the case proper. These handles may be folded downwardly across the portable trays in order to store them within the case. The same handles may be erected so that they may be gripped between the lingers in order to lift the trays from the case.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a case and tray construction comprising a single die-cut sheet of lcorrugated board or the like folded and assembled in the manner shown in the drawing to form a case or a portable tray, of the character described.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a kit for pipe nipples and fittings, tools and other objects. Conventional pipe and tool kits are made of metal and they serve no other function than that of carrying kits used by plumbers, mechanics, service men and the like. In the present invention on the other hand the kit is made, preferably of corrugated board and its initial function as above indicated, is packaging. It is only when it reaches the ultimate consumer that it functions only as a carrying kit.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying draw- 'ng in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a combination 3,3%,8I Patented July 2, 1968 packing and carrying case made in accordance with the present invention, said case being shown entirely closed for packaging use.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view but showing the handles projecting upwardly and outwardly from the case so that it may be used for carrying purposes.

FIGURE 3 is a third perspective view showing the case in open condition.

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section on the line 4--4 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 shows the case in a partially folded but unassembled condition.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the blank from which the case is made.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of one of the portable trays which the case contains.

FIGURE 9 is a transverse section on the line 9 9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of a blank from which said portable tray is made.

FIGURE 1l is a perspective view showing the portable tray in partially folded but unassembled condition.

FIGURE l2 is a plan view of a blank from which the divider in the portable tray is made.

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view showing said divider in folded condition.

Referring now to the details of the invention as illustrated in the drawing, it will be seen that the combination packing and carrying case 10 comprises an outer case 12 and a pair of inner removable portable trays 14 and 16 respectively. It will be observed in FIGURES 6 and 7 that the outer case 12 is made of a single die-cut blank 2G and it will be noted fr-om FIGURES l0 and 11 that each portable tray is also made from a single die-cut blank 22. Similarly each portable tray is provided with a divider 13 which is made of a single blank Z4. It will of course be understood that the particular shape, proportions and dimensions of the various blanks which are used in connection with this invention may be varied in accordance with individual requirements. The particular size, shape and proportion shown in the drawing is clearly illustrative. Similarly the material `of which these blanks are made may be varied in accordance with individual requirements. Thus, although corrugated board is preferred for certain purposes, serving, for example, the needs of a plum'bers pipe nipple and fitting kit, other materials may be used to suit other requirements. By the same token, the corrugated board or other sheet material) may be covered with other material or may remain uncovered, depending upon the purposes for which the case is to be used and the nature -of the articles which it is to accommodate. As a jewelry kit, for example, the case would desirably be covered on the outside with a decorative material, such as embossed and padded sheet plastics, and on the inside with a padded velvet type of fabric.

Referring to the outer case 12 and to the blank 20' from which it is made, it will be observed that said blank is provided with the following panels which are either diecut from each other or separated by means of scored fold lines or both: a pair of spaced sidel panels 20a and 2Gb, a pair of spaced end panels 2Go and Zild, connected to said side panels, an attaching flap 20e connected to side panel 20a for attaching said side panel to end panel Ztld, a pair of bottom panels Ztlf and 2tlg connected, respectively, to said side panels 20a and 2Gb, a pair of inner wall members 20h and 201 connected to said bottom panels 20f and 20g, a pair of handle portions 20j and 20k connected to said inner wall panels 24H1 and 261', a pair of cover panels 20! and 28m connected, respectively, to side panels 21M and 263'!) on the opposite side thereof from bottom panels j and 26g, a pair of closure flaps 2611 and 29p connected to said cover panels 20] and 2li/n, a pair of closure flaps Ztiq and 2li." connected to end panel 20c on one side thereof, a pair of secondary bottom panels 20s and 2dr connected to said end panel 26e on the opposite side thereof, a second pair of closure flaps 20u and 20v connected to one side of end panel 20d and a second pair of secondary bottom panels 20w and 20x connected to said end panel 26d on the opposite side thereof, secondary bottom panels 20S, 2.0i, 20w and 20x being each provided with a flap portion Zily for a purpose which will shortly be explained. Similarly handle portions 20]' and 29k are provided with flap portion 202 whose function will also be explained. Interrupted lines 26 represent horizontal score lines along which a folding operation may take place while interrupted lines 28 represent vertical score lines.

The manner in which blank 20 may be folded and assembled is indicated in FIGURES 6 and 3. Panels 26a, 20c, 20h and 20d form the vertical sides and end of the container. Panels Zlf and 2tlg form the bottom wall of the container and panels 2011 and 201' project upwardly rom said bottom walls through the center of the container to form a pair of inner adjacent walls therein defining a pair of compartments on opposite sides thereof. Across bottom walls Ztif and 2tlg are disposed secondary bottom panels Ztls, 201, 2ilw and 20x. Their respective end portion 2051 are folded upwardly to provide a vertical partition as well as a support for the .portable tray which is to be placed in that particular compartment of the case.

Panels 29g, 2dr, 2th: and 2th/ are folded across the top of the case and then upon them are folded cover panels 201 and 26m. Flaps 2G11 and Zip are then tucked inwardly into the case in order to lock covers 20! and 20m in closed positions. Handle portions 20j and Zilk may either be folded across the top of the case, to produce the closed end result shown in FIGURE l or they may project upwardly from the case to for-m the carrying kit shown in FIGURE 2. In this connection it will be noted that ilaps 20z may be folded upwardly flat against the upper portions of the handles (as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5) where they may be stapled or otherwise fastened in place. This provides a stronger, more comfortable handle,

`Considering now the construction of portable trays '14 and 16, it will be seen that each is made of a single blank 22 comprising the following components: a bottom panel 26a, a pair of outside panels 22h and 22C connected to opposite sides of said bottom panel 22a, a pair of inner side panels 22d and 22e connected to outer side panels 22h and 22C, a pair of end panels 22jc and 22g connected to the ends of bottom panel 22a, a pair of side flaps 22h and 221' connected to opposite sides of end panel 22j, a similar pair of side llaps 22]' and 22k connected to opposite sides of end panel 22g and a pair of handle portions 22! and 22m connected to end panels 22f and 22g.

In the assembly of this blank 22 panels 2211 and 22C are folded upwardly from bottom panel 22a to form outer sides of the tray and panels 22d and 22e are then folded inwardly to form the inner sides of the tray, and flaps 22h, 221', 22j and 22k are inserted between said inner and outer sides. Additionally tabs ZZnon inner sides 22d and 22e are caused to project on slots 22p formed along the side edge of bottom panel 22a, The several parts of the tray are now securely locked in position. However, when divider 18 is inserted into the tray as shown in FIGURE 3 it serves as an abutment between the two inner sides 22d and 22e to prevent accidental dislodgment of their respective tabs 22u from slots 22p. Thus divider 18 serves the dual function of dividing the tray into a plurality of compartments and also strengthening its structure.

As shown in FIGURES l2 and l3 a typical blank 24 may be used to form divider 18. Depending upon indid vidual requirements blank 24 may be provided with vari- -ous panels 24a, 24b, 24C, 24d, 24e, 241 and 24g. These panels are of course separated by scored lines along which folding operations may take place to convert the blank from its two dimensional form in FIGURE 12 to its three dimensional form in FIGURE 13.

Portable trays 14 and 16 may be placed in the two side compartment of the case upon supports represented by flaps 29v. When it is desired to close the case either as shown in FIGURE 1 4or as shown in FIGURE 2, handles 221 and 22m of the two trays are folded downwardly into horizontal positions as shown in FIGURES 4 and 5. When it is desired to remove the trays from the case said handles are raised to vertical positions as shown in FIGURE 3. Each such handle is provided with a linger -opening 22g which may be engaged by a linger to remove the tray from the case.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the use of the case in connection with pipes 30. These pipes occupy the compartments which are defined by the side and end walls of the case, the inner walls thereof and flaps 2031. The space above these compartments is occupied by the two trays and whatever pipe nipples or fittings may be placed therein.

The foregoing is illustrative of a preferred form of this invention and it will be understood that this preferred form may be modied and other forms may be provided within the broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1, A carrying case of the character described, comprising a box having a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls integral with said end walls and extending laterally `therefrom, a pair of bottom walls integral with the lower ends of said side walls and extending horizontally therefrom to the center of the box, a pair of inner walls integral with said bottom walls and extending upwardly therefrom in the center of the box to form a pair of compartments on opposite sides of said inner walls, handle portions formed on said inner walls for carrying the box, and a pair of cover flaps integral with the upper ends of said side walls to elosey the box, the handle portions being foldable into horizontal positions under the cover flaps, lsaid cover flaps being provided with downwardly projecting extension pieces adapted for insertion between the inner walls to hold said cover flaps in closed position, a pair of additional bottom walls being provided on each of the end walls, said additional bottom walls being integral with the lower ends of said end walls and extending horizontally therefrom on opposite sides of the inner walls across the first mentioned bottom walls, a pair of portable trays being removably mounted within the compartments formed on opposite sides of the inner walls, upwardly extending flaps being formed on the inner ends of the additional bottom walls integrally therewith, said upwardly extending flaps serving as supports for the portable trays to support them in elevated positions within the box.

2. A carrying case of the character described, comprising a box having a pair of end walls, a pair of side walls integral with said end walls and extending laterally therefrom, a pair of bottom walls integral with the lower ends of said side walls and extending horizontally therefrom to the center of the box, a pair of inner walls integral with said bottom walls and extending upwardly therefrom in the center of the box to form a pair of compartments on opposite sides of said inner walls, handle portions formed on said inner walls for carrying the box, and a pair of cover aps integral with the upper ends of said side walls to close the box, the handle portions being foldable into horizontal positions under the cover flaps, said cover flaps being provided with downwardly projecting extension pieces adapted for insertion between the inner walls to hold said cover flaps in closed position, a pair of additional bottom walls being provided on each of: the end walls, said additional bottom walls being integral with the lower ends of said end walls and extending horizontally therefrom on opposite sides of the inner walls across the rst mentioned bottom walls, a pair of portable trays being remova'bly mounted within the compartments formed on opposite sides of the inner walls, each portable tray being provided with bottom, side and end walls which are all integral with each other, and a pair of handle portions extending upwardly from said end walls for carrying purposes, said handle portions being foldable downwardly into horizontal positions under the cover aps.

3. The combination of claim 2, wherein dividers are provided within each portable tray to form a plurality of compartments therein.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DAVID M. BOCKENEK, Primary Emmi-ner. 

